Åland Islands - Discover 6,700 islands | Visit Åland Meet Åland on trade shows 2017 Archipelago getaway Åland is made for a relaxing weekend getaway. Come and spend some relaxing days on your own, with a friend or partner or with the whole family. The refreshing and inspiring archipelago nature of Åland, various outdoor and indoor activities and local delicacies are waiting for visitors of all ages and with different interests. Enjoy cabin life Bring your family or friends and enjoy cabin life in Åland. Stay comfortably in a cottage suitable for all year round use or rent an own island. Relax in the sauna, take walks along the red granite rock and go kayaking and fishing. Cozy up by the fireplace and enjoy the great company. Maybe you even get a chance to do some storm watching and see the Northern Lights as well. Cabin life in Åland – all year round The re-opened Art Museum The Åland Islands Art Museum opened its doors after a few years of renovation. The art museum presents a broad spectrum of art on the Åland Islands from sculptures and paintings to modern video installations. In addition, the museum regularly presents special exhibits offering new impressions and influences to visitors.

The art museum continuously seeks to be an inspiring forum for both artists and visitors. Welcome to visit two museums under one roof and to see the new exhibitions at the renovated facilities. Welcome to the Åland Islands Art Museum The new Cultural History Museum The Cultural History Museum of Åland has opened its doors again. In the completely renewed main exhibition you can follow Åland’s story, from the first seal-hunters, who set foot on these rocky islands, to today’s global and multi-cultural society. The exhibition is divided up chronologically – prehistory, the medieval period, the era of the great powers, the 1800s and the 1900s – guiding you step by step through 7500 years of Åland’s history. The exhibition tells of both dramatic events and everyday life, of toil and festivities. Welcome to visit two museums under one roof and to see the new exhibitions at the renovated facilities. Welcome to the new exhibitions The Finnish Museum of the Year 2016 Åland’s Maritime Museum is a museum with a difference that has something to offer every visitor. Seafarers’ own accounts, exciting objects, beautiful interiors and interactive stations make for a vivid overview of Åland’s maritime cultural.

A world class museum - well worth several visits. Explore Åland's maritime heritage Culinary Åland Small-scale agriculture and locally produced. Handmade goat’s cheese, deep-fried seaweed, air-dried meat, sausages, blueberry beer, grape jelly. New ideas are bubbling in pots and pans as local gastronomers enthusiastically head toward the future armed with traditional Åland foods and culinary skills. Welcome to culinary Åland! Shopping and handicrafts within walking distance The art handicraft tradition is really alive in Åland. The artisans combine old handicraft techniques with new creativity. In the handicraft shops you’ll find art of living and natural material such as wood, textiles, wool, leather, metal, glass and clay. Handicrafts from Åland are mostly found in the shops in Mariehamn and the Maritime Quarter. Shop till you drop in Åland Historic title IFK Mariehamn made Finnish football history and secured the football league championship Sunday 23rd of October. Congratulations IFK Mariehamn for the historic title and the best season of the club history.

The town of Mariehamn and the Government of Åland hold a medal celebration at the market square of Mariehmn Monday 24th of October at 7 pm in order to celebrate the first league championship of the club. Photo: Nya Åland Short documentary by Nya Åland Devil's Bride The film Devil's Bride from the award winning director Saara Cantell was shot mainly in the Åland islands. The film is based on a true story taking place on Åland in 1666, just as the most widespread and systematic witch hunts in Scandinavian history were beginning. The movie had its red carpet premiere for invited guests at Bio Savoy in Mariehamn on 2nd of September, and the film will be released in cinemas in Finland on Friday 9th of September. Do you recognize some places from Åland in the trailer? Watch the trailer Films of Åland Visit Åland proudly presents several theme films, among them a film of Åland produced for British Airways. Enjoy the very best these islands have to offer. Mariehamn, Åland Islands, Finland - YouTube Mariehamn, Åland Islands, Finland Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist.

Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Nov 17, 2013 The Åland Islands or Åland (Swedish: Åland, Swedish pronunciation: [ˈoːland]; Finnish: Ahvenanmaa) is an autonomous, demilitarised, monolingually Swedish-speaking region of Finland that consists of an archipelago lying at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. Collectively, the islands in the archipelago form the smallest region of Finland, constituting 0.49% of its land area and 0.50% of its population. Åland comprises Fasta Åland ("Main Island", on which 90% of the population resides)[5] and a further 6,500 skerries and islands to its east. Fasta Åland is separated from the coast of Sweden by 38 kilometres (24 mi) of open water to the west. In the east, the Åland archipelago is contiguous with the Finnish Archipelago Sea.

Åland's only land border is located on the uninhabited skerry of Märket,[6] which it shares with Sweden. Åland's autonomous status means that those provincial powers normally exercised by representatives of the central Finnish government are largely exercised by its own government. Mariehamn (Finnish: Maarianhamina) is the capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. Mariehamn is the seat of the Government and Parliament of Åland, and 40% of the population of Åland live in the city. Like all of Åland, Mariehamn is unilingually Swedish-speaking and around 88% of the inhabitants speak it as their native language.[3] The town was named after Maria Alexandrovna, the Empress consort of Alexander II of Russia. Mariehamn was founded in 1861, around the village of Övernäs, in what was at the time part of the municipality of Jomala. The city has since expanded and incorporated more of Jomala territory. The city is located on a peninsula, and has two important harbours, one located on the western shore and one on the eastern shore.

The Western Harbour is an important international harbour with daily traffic to Sweden and mainland Finland. A powerful incentive for Baltic ferries to stop at Mariehamn is that, with respect to indirect taxation, Åland is not part of the EU customs zone and so duty-free goods can be sold aboard. Mariehamn Airport is located in the neighbouring municipality of Jomala, some 3 kilometres (2 mi) north-west of Mariehamn city centre. Åland and Mariehamn have a reputable heritage in shipping. The Flying P-Liner Pommern museum ship is anchored in the Western Harbour. The Eastern Harbour features one of the largest marinas in Scandinavia. The famous Dutch steamer Jan Nieveen (now called F.P. von Knorring, after Åland teacher and vicar Frans Peter von Knorring) can also be found here. The city is an important centre for Åland media; both of the local newspapers (Ålandstidningen and Nya Åland), several radio stations and the local TV channels (TV Åland and Åland24) operate out of the city. Mariehamn features several buildings drawn by Finnish architect Lars Sonck, who moved to Åland as a child.

Buildings drawn by him include the church of Mariehamn (1927), the main building of the Åland Maritime College (1927) and the town hall (1939). Hilda Hongell has also designed several buildings, although only a few are still standing. Category Facts about Åland — Nordic cooperation Wide page Facts about Åland Åland consists of 6,757 islands situated midway between Sweden and Finland. Although the people of Åland speak Swedish, this autonomous territory is part of Finland. Photographer Freyja Finnsdóttir The archipelago is largely made up of coastal rock slopes and heather moorland, and has large areas of pine forests. Only about nine per cent of Åland is arable land. Åland is the smallest of the three Nordic autonomous territories with a population of 28,000. One third of the population lives in the capital, Mariehamn. The official language is Swedish. Åland is part of the Republic of Finland but has its own devolved parliament. In devolved policy areas Åland acts as a nation in practice. Åland is also a demilitarised and neutral zone.

Lagtinget, the Åland Parliament, is the highest authority. Åland is a member of the EU and the currency is the euro, but its relationship to the EU is regulated in a special protocol: to maintain the important tax free sales on the ships which sail between Finland and Sweden, Åland remains outside the VAT area. Major sources of income on Åland are shipping and ferry services, tourism and the processing of agriculture and fisheries products. Total areal Aland Islands: population, area, capital, cities ... Aland Islands Description of Aland Islands The Aland Islands is a region of Finland. It is located where the Gulf of Bothnia meets the Baltic Sea. The islands are Finland’s smallest region. The main island of the region is Fasta Aland and this is where 90% of the population lives. The rest of the region is made up of 6500 islands and skerries. Fasta Island is just 24 miles off the coast of Sweden. The only land border for the island is the skerry Market, which is uninhabited and shares a border with Sweden.

The autonomous status of the island means that the powers that are normally given to representatives in central Finnish government are mostly exercised by their own government. This autonomous status was affirmed in 1921 by the League of Nations. Aland Islands are entirely demilitarized and politically neutral. This means that residents of the island are exempt from being a part of the Finnish Defense Forces. History The islands were formed as part of the territory that was ceded to Russia from Sweden through the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in the year 1809 in the month of September. The treaty resulted in the islands along with what is now Finland becoming the Grand Duchy of Finland. Sweden did not secure a provision for the islands not to be fortified during this process. This issue was important for both Sweden and the UK as both countries were concerned that any type of military presence located on the island could be a threat to the military and commercial interests of the country. In the year 1832, the fortress of Bomarsund was built by the Russians to fortify the islands. A combination of French and British warships captured and destroyed Bomarsund in the year 1854 during a Baltic campaign of the Crimean War.

The entire set of islands was demilitarized by the Treaty of Paris in 1856. In 1918, during the Finnish Civil War, the Swedes acted as a peacekeeping force between the Red and White Finnish troops and the Russian troops. Some historians think that Sweden actually planned on occupying the islands. In just a few weeks the Swedish troops were overtaken by German troops. The troops from Germany occupied the islands by request of the conservative “white” troops from Finland. After the year 1917, the people who lived on the islands worked at having the islands ceded to Sweden. In the year 1919, the residents signed a petition for secession from Finland and integrated with Sweden. Almost 95% of the residents were in favor of this petition. There were several reasons for this strong sentiment towards Sweden. First, there were the anti-Swedish tendencies in the country of Finland. Another issue was the nationalism of Finland because of its struggle to retain autonomy. There was also the issue of the resistance to Russification that was taking place in the country.

The final issue was that the population was apprehensive about their future with Finland because of the conflict with the Swedish speaking people and the Finnish speaking population who had been prominent in the political life of Finland since the 1840s. Finland refused to cede the islands to Sweden and instead provided autonomous status to the islands. The residents did not approve of this and the dispute was sent to the League of Nations. The League of Nations determined that Finland would keep sovereignty over the islands, but they would be made into an autonomous territory. This meant that the residents of the island could maintain the Swedish language, including their own local traditions and culture. During this time an international treaty was established to provide the islands with a neutral status. Throughout the 20th century many of the islanders have found the sovereignty from Finland to be beneficial. The combination of being disappointed by the lack of support from Sweden during the League of Nations, the disrespect from Sweden for the islands demilitarized status during the 1930s, and some of the feelings shared with Finland both during and after the Second World War has changed many people’s point of view about the islands being a possession of Finland to a part of Finland.

The island was safe during World War II because the merchant fleets would sail for both sides of the war and because of this it was not attacked as each side did not know who the merchants were carrying for at any time. Visit Aland Islands When visiting the Aland Islands it is important to note that many of the attractions are only open during the late spring and during the summer months. When the attractions are closed they can only be viewed from the outside. This being said, there are several tourist sites that you should consider visiting on your trip to the islands. The Kastelholm is a castle located on the northern part of the main island. The castle was created in the 1380s and was the home of many Swedish kings who ruled over both Finland and Sweden from this area. There are guided tours of the ruin available. Another place that is close to the Kastelholm is the Open Air Museum. There are a number of traditional buildings that have been moved in from other areas. In 2008, the admission to the museum was free, but there was a charge to tour the prison museum located in the same area.

Fortress of Bomarsund was built from 1830 through 1854 by the Russians. It was mostly ruined during the Crimean war. Today you can find a small museum with artifacts and pictures of the fortress on display. While you are on the islands you will find plenty of activities to keep you busy. You will want to take advantage of the many great hiking trails that are available as well as the quite countryside. You can also find many great beaches and bath houses in the area. It is important to note that shopping on the islands can be quite expensive as most of the items have been imported. The official tourism organization of the Aland Islands, Visit Aland, promotes tourism to the region. Aland Islands Tourism Compared to other areas of Scandinavia, the Aland Islands have a relatively mild climate. That makes it very attractive to tourists that don’t like the harsher and colder climates of other Scandinavian nations. The Aland Islands have more sunshine hours each year than any other site in the region. During the middle part of the summer, the sun rises at 3:30 AM and sets at 10 PM.

The summers of the Aland Islands are warm and its winters are mild, making it a favorite holiday destination for visitors from Finland, Sweden, and the rest of Europe - including Americans that know about the milder climate. The capital of Aland is Mariehamn, and it has a long and rich maritime history. It is mostly a shipping town, and it is also the site of a museum ship that remains in its original condition. The Aland Islands are a bunch of islands that are inside an archipelago, and the eight islands in the archipelago are the site of a number of tiny villages, a lot of which have architectural monuments like castles and abbeys. One of the most popular attractions is Kastelholm Castle, which dates back to the 16th century. Aland brings in a lot of tourists that want to participate in outdoor activities, with camping, horse riding, hiking, paddling, and diving being some of those activities. It is also possible to hunt in the Aland Islands, and the local tourism organization encourages it. Over 200,000 tourists come to Aland each year.

Most of the tourists are from Sweden and Finland, and just roughly 12% are from other countries. The average stay is a little over two nights. Tourists stay in hotels, guest houses, and cottages, and some of them even camp. Attractions & Excursions Attractions The Aland Islands and the Port of Mariehamn are welcoming toward all cruise passengers. The Aland Islands are a unique and and exciting cruise destination in the Baltic region. There are shore excursions that can be set up for any of Aland’s big attractions. The Maritime Museum And The Museum Ship Pommern The Maritime Museum and the Museum Ship Pommern, both world-renowned, tell the story of how seamen lived aboard ship. The Russian Fortress Of Bomarsund This Russian fortress is a fun destination for a short excursion. It was created in 1832 by the Russians, and the work continued on until the fortress was overtaken by the Crimean War in 1854. Even though the fortress was overthrown, it is still one of the coolest sights in the Aland Islands. The Castle Of Kastelholm You should take a short tour of the Castle of Kastelholm.

The castle was developed in the 1300s, and it has gone through both piracy and sieges throughout history. It was once the home of a Swedish king, King Gustav. Jan Karlsgarden Go a couple hundred years back in time. Take a trip to the gorgeous Jan Karlsgarden, a traditional farmstead from the 1800s. It shows how life was like before the modern era. The farmstead is near the Castle of Kastelholm You can also check out the nearby Vita Bjorn. The Aland Churches A large number of churches were built on the islands in the 1200s and 1300s. You can still find a dozen or so medieval churches. These are maybe the most interesting memories from the Middle Ages. The Aland Hunting & Fishing Museum Life for Alanders was sometimes hard and food was scarce. This museum shows what it was like for hunters and fishermen to keep food on the table. Excursions Check out ASS Segel-paviljongen on the western harbor. It’s the oldest restaurant in Aland, the the cuisine is exquisite and tasty. It is a culinary experience that you don’t want to miss.

Stallhagen If you are interested in drinking beer, then the brewery Stallhagen is a great spot for you to visit. The brewery will give you an insight into how beer is brewed, and you can sample the Stallhagen Lager in the pub. The brewery used to be a Russian military barrack. Viking Village The Vikings were an interesting people. How did they live and what did they eat? You can see what it was like to eat like a Viking when you sit at the long table in Viking Village. You will get served up with entertainment and food in a Viking fashion. You can come with a group of up to 50 people. Culture & Sights There is a lot to discover in a little space in Aland. The big island isn’t any bigger than 45 km in a north-south direction and 50 km in an east-west direction. The island has a small size, and so it is easy to discover everything that the island has to offer. Sightseeing on Aland means checking out everything from Mariehamn to Kastelholm Castle. There are a number of fine museums on this beautiful archipelago, as well.

Don’t forget to peruse what the local artisans have to offer in terms of arts, crafts, and designs. You should purchase and take home some souvenirs from this unique Scandinavian region. If you’ve never seen the most beautiful part of Scandinavia, then you don’t know what you’re missing out on. The best part hasn’t even been mentioned: the people. The people are truly fabulous, and they are some of the nicest, warmest, and most hospitable in the world. When you visit eateries, bed & breakfasts, cafes, and pubs, you will find that the people of Scandinavia – and especially the Aland Islands – are a kinder, gentler, warmer people than what you might be used to back home. Of course, if you’re from elsewhere in Europe, the contrast won’t be as stark. Be sure to sample the local cuisine and beverages. Some of the seafood and ale is considered the best in the world. Take your smartphone so you can capture Instagram photos of your delicious meals and beverages. Some facts about Aland Islands Population of country Åland Islands | The Countries Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia The Åland Islands is an autonomous region of Finland , located in the Baltic Sea.

In 1994 the Åland Islands held a separate referendum which approved the islands accession to the European Union , together with Finland in the following year. History Edit The first security policy issue Finland faced upon becoming independent concerned the Åland Islands. Settled by Swedes in about the sixth century A.D., the islands were administered as part of Finland as long as Sweden was part of the Kingdom of Sweden . In 1809 they were transferred to Russian sovereignty, where they remained until the Russian Revolution. Throughout this period, almost all of the inhabitants of the Åland Islands, the Ålanders, continued to be Swedish speakers. During the chaos of the Russian Revolution, the Ålanders began negotiations to be united with Sweden, a move that was later supported in a plebiscite by 96 percent of the islands' inhabitants. The Swedish government welcomed this move, and in February 1918 sent troops who disarmed the Russian forces and the Red Guards, of the unrecognized Finnish Socialist Conciliar Republic , on the islands. The Finns felt that the Swedish intervention in the Åland Islands represented an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of Finland .

Tension rose as both countries claimed the islands, Sweden emphasizing the principle of national self-determination and Finland pointing to its historical rights and to the need to have the islands in order to defend Finland's southwestern coast. The German Empire then moved into the islands as part of its intervention in the civil war and forced out the Swedes; later that year, however, Germany handed the islands over to Finland. The Finns arrested the Åland separatist leaders on charges of treason. In 1920 both countries referred the matter to the League of Nations , which ruled the following year in favor of Finland. The Swedes were placated by the demilitarization of the islands as well as by the grant of extensive autonomy to the Ålanders, a settlement that still remains. [1] Autonomy Edit The Åland Islands enjoys considerable autonomy by virtue of the Autonomy Act of 1951 that guarantees the way of life and the preservation of Swedish traditions on the islands. The 1951 law was supplemented by a 1975 law that restricts the acquisition of real estate on the islands. Both laws have constitutional status, and they may be altered only in accordance with the strict parliamentary provisions that protect the Constitution.

In addition to this protection against legislation prejudicial to its interests, the archipelago's parliamentary assembly, the Lagting, has the right to ratify laws affecting it. The Lagting consists of thirty members elected on the basis of proportional representation for four-year terms. Voters must be eighteen years of age by the year of the election and must have the right of domicile on the islands, a right acquired by living for at least five years in the province. Those with this right may also exercise certain professions and may acquire real estate, and they may not be conscripted if they have been residents of the islands since before their twelfth year. This last provision resulted from the demilitarized and neutral status of the islands established by a decision of the League of Nations in 1921. The Lagting has the right to pass laws that touch on administration, provincial taxation, police matters, transportation, health care, and cultural matters. Issues relating to the Constitution, national defense, foreign affairs, the judiciary, family law, and civil law are outside its competence.

All laws passed by the Lagting must be approved by the president of the republic, who may veto those laws judged to exceed the Lagting's competence or to damage the country's internal or external security. [2] Government Edit The highest executive authority on the islands is the autonomous Government of Åland, consisting of seven members elected by, and from within, the Lagting. The government must enjoy the confidence of the Lagting to carry out its duties, and the premier can be forced to resign if this is not the case. The governor in Mariehamn the represents the national government of Finland . He is appointed by the president of the republic, but only after the approval of the Lagting, and is responsible for those administrative functions beyond the competence of regional authorities. Another link between the islands and the national government is the Åland Delegation, usually headed by the governor; its other four members are chosen by the Council of State of Finland and the Lagting. The delegation's chief duties are supervising transfers of funds from the national government to the regional government, to pay for the costs of self government, and examining laws passed by the Lagting, before sending them to the president.

In addition to these ties between the archipelago and the mainland, the province has one representative in the Riksdag, the national parliament, who usually has a seat on the Constitutional Committee in order to protect the islands' rights. Since 1970 the islands has had one delegate at the annual meeting of the Nordic Council ( ₳ | ₩ ). During the late 1980s, changes of a constitutional nature in the relations between the Åland Islands and the national government were under review in the Riksdag. The projected legislation touched on increased provincial control of the taxes the archipelago pays or generates and on greater control over radio and television reception, with the aim of increasing access to programming from Sweden and to the Swedish-language programs of the Finnish broadcasting system. Having secured the right to issue their own stamps in 1984, the archipelago's inhabitants also wanted to have their own postal system, a right still reserved to the national government. Under discussion, too, were international guarantees for the islands' security.

[3] Governor Peter Lindbäck ( ₩ ) (April 1, 1999 - ) Chief minister Viveka Eriksson ( ₩ ) (November 26, 2007 - November 25, 2011) Camilla Gunell ( ₩ ) (November 25, 2011 - ) References ↑ Library of Congress - Country Studies: Finland: Chapter 1 - Historical Setting ↑ Library of Congress - Country Studies: Finland: Chapter 4 - Government and Politics ↑ Library of Congress - Country Studies: Finland: Chapter 4 - Government and Politics Aland Islands Map Finland Aland Islands Map Finland Aland Islands Aland is the largest island in an archipelago of near 6,500 others, most just small uninhabited rocks. Though an autonomous, self-governed territory of Finland, the Aland Islands, for historical reasons, are way more Swedish then Finnish. They have their own unique culture, Swedish dialects, flag, and stamps, and remain one of the most popular summer vacation destinations for Swedes and Finns, alike.

Besides beautiful scenery, these (almost flat) islands feature medieval castles and churches, museums, parks, old-world fishing villages, and are particularly suited for family vacations that include cycling, camping and water sports activities. Easily reached by ferries form the mainland, the Alands are well-served by an inner-island ferry service. Åland - a Special Piece of Finland — VisitFinland.com Åland – a special piece of Finland Åland - a Special Piece of Finland The autonomous Finnish province of Åland is located in the Baltic Sea, at the southern end of the Gulf of Bothnia between mainland Finland and Sweden. The Åland archipelago consists of around 6 500 islands, but only more than 60 are inhabited. Åland has its own taxation system, its own postage stamps, its own flag and Swedish as its only official language. For travellers, the Åland islands offer activities from adventurous island-hopping to boating, fishing, golfing and lots more. It’s easy to get from one island to another thanks to the many bridges and ferries, and Åland’s roads are terrific for cycling holidays.

Open larger map About Finland Full of interesting contrasts, such as the four seasons, the Midnight Sun and winter darkness, urban and rural, East and West. About Finland The Åland archipelago consists of more than 6 500 islands – most are rocky islets, but more than 60 are inhabited. There are around 25 000 residents on the Åland islands, who make their living primarily from tourism, maritime occupations and banking. Related Links Hopping from island to island is the way to do sightseeing in Åland. Thanks to ferries and bridges, it can be done on boat, kayak, car or bicycle. And skates in the winter! Mariehamn was founded in 1861 by Czar Alexander II, who gave the town its name, meaning ‘Marie’s Harbour’, after his wife. There are only 11 000 residents in Mariehamn, yet the city receives up to 1.5 million visitors per year. In the summertime, Mariehamn’s pleasant cafés and restaurants are lively places. Capital Mariehamn is the largest – and only – city in Åland.

Its wooden houses and green parks provide a great setting for a small-town holiday or a starting point for a tour of the Åland islands. Åland’s residents are excellent seafarers. Maritime occupations, such as sailing and fishing, have always been some of the main means of income here. Åland’s autonomous status means that the island group has its own government, language and cultural policy. Since 1922, Åland has had its own parliament as well as a representative in the Finnish national parliament. Finnish legislation applies in matters concerning foreign policy, civil and criminal law, customs and monetary policy. Mariehamn provides the perfect setting for a small-town family holiday. It’s often referred to as the ‘city of a thousand linden trees’. Beech and birch are also common here. A local sight not to be missed is the Pommern, a wooden cargo ship (or windjammer) built in the early 20th century. Now moored outside the Maritime Museum in the western harbour of Mariehamn, the Pommern used to sail the oceans between England and Australia. To make the most out of the experience, a guided tour is recommended.

Related Links Little visitors to Mariehamn will enjoy the Lilla Holmen island, were children can swim, climb in the pirate ship or visit the birds in the bird house. Worth a visit is also the popular Gröna Udden beach. These are excellent spots for a picnic and sampling an Åland speciality: pancakes with cardamom and plenty of whipped cream. Related Links ÅLAND, THE HISTORY | Ålands kulturhistoriska museum Hunting & fishing When the first people immigrated to the archipelago around 7,000 years ago, Åland consisted of only a few islands. Everything else was the sea. During the last ice age – which ended about 10,000 years ago – the rock formations were carved smooth and pushed down by the weight of the ice. When the ice melted, land slowly began to re-emerge from the sea and the archipelago grew. The climate during this period was warm and humid. Deciduous trees and pine grew in abundance, whereas there were no fir trees. The first people arrived from the east 7,000 years ago.

They were members of the Neolithic Comb Ceramic culture which settled around the Gulf of Bothnia, the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea, and east to the Ural Mountains. 1,500 years later people from the Pit-Comb Ware culture moved into the archipelago from the west, where they had settled along the east and west coasts of Sweden and into Norway. Åland was the place where the two cultures met. The Stone Age (ca. 4000–1500 BC) was superseded by the Bronze Age (ca. 1500-400 BC). The early Bronze Age is known for its stone mounds. Presumed to have been tombs for members of the upper class, they often contained precious burial gifts. The late Bronze Age is characterised by cremation funerals. The deceased were burned on a funeral pyre and their remains were laid to rest under small mounds of stones (cairns). Stone Age and Bronze Age people found food by hunting seals and birds, fishing, and gathering plants. They hunted seals all year round, but most often during the winter. They made use of the animals’ meat, skins, furs and liver oil.

They collected down (feathers) and eggs from the nests of waterfowl. Waterfowl were hunted using devices called decoys, which were made to look like other birds. Hunting took place in spring and autumn. Agriculture We can find traces of agriculture in Åland as far back as the late Stone Age, about 4,000 years ago. In the early Iron Age (about 500 BC – 1000 AD), settlement decreased and became concentrated on what is today the Main Island. Contact with other cultures outside Åland stagnated. In the mid-5th Century AD, there was an increase in population through immigration, primarily from the Mälaren Valley area of Sweden (near present-day Stockholm). Grave findings suggest that there was now cultural contact between Åland and the Nordic and Continental Germanic areas. There are over 380 documented burial sites in Åland, concentrated on the main islands, stemming from the Viking Age (ca. 800–1000). There are also six well-known castle ruins. Farms were not located together in the villages, but were scattered throughout the archipelago.

A common type of building was the post-borne longhouse, where people and animals lived together. Individual houses made out of timber could also be found. The Åland coastal climate is characterised by mild winters, a lack of rain in late spring, cool summers and warm autumns. The chalky soil and fertile clay provide good conditions for farming. Until the 1870s, rye was the most common type of grain. The first cultivated root vegetable was the turnip, and the potato was introduced in the 1700s. A major land reform, called Storskiftet (the great transition) was implemented in most villages around 1840, when scattered farmland plots were consolidated into larger units. Farmland around the archipelago could now be used for cattle farming. Cows were used for their milk, meat, hide and hair. Cheese was commonly made. Society With the end of the Viking Age, the ancient Nordic beliefs gave way to Christianity. Åland’s oldest churches are located in close proximity to important pagan burial grounds. The first churches were wooden stave churches; these were soon replaced by churches built of stone. Small chapels were built for sailors along the old trade routes.

The history and chronology of the stone church in Åland are the subject of debate, but we are in any case certain that they have undergone major changes over the centuries. The simple aisle-less churches with an open roof truss eventually had vaults added, and the west tower, vestry and church porch were built on. Despite many common features, the churches all differ remarkably in terms of masonry technique and size. The church was the centre of rural life. It affected every stage of a person’s life. Great reverence was shown towards the Church and the clergy, and church discipline was strict. Åland, like the rest of Finland, was an autonomous region during the Middle Ages. The highest authority was the council (Landstinget). It met in Saltvik, one of the most important market communities. In the 1200s, Åland and Finland were incorporated into the Swedish Empire. From 1634 Åland was part of the “Turku and Pori county and Åland chiefdom”. The most important medieval building – besides the churches – is Kastelholm. It is first mentioned in 1388 and was probably built under Seneschal Bo Jonsson Grip.

The castle has been rebuilt and added to many times over the centuries; it has been besieged and damaged by fire. Right up to the 1700s, Kastelholm was Åland’s administrative and military centre. The King stayed here during his visits, and this is where the taxes were brought upon collection. People Great weddings lasting three to four days could still be seen in Åland up to the 1920s. There was eating, drinking and dancing. The newly-wed couple received many gifts, and the bride brought a dowry to her new home among her husband’s family. Midsummer celebrations have a long tradition in Åland. In many villages the locals erect a maypole and cover it with leaves and decorations in the form of paper crowns, weather vanes, boats, suns and little male figurines waving their arms. Midsummer poles are erected on Midsummer’s Eve under the watchful eye of a ‘maypole captain’. The festivities often include speeches, song and dance. Ballads, broadside folk songs, ring games and lullabies were sung in homes around Åland right until the beginning of this century. The folk songs were handed down from generation to generation.

The violin was the instrument of choice at dances and weddings. After the First World War the accordion became increasingly more popular. Åland has never had any particular national dress. Everyone dressed as they liked. Musicologist Otto Andersson came up with the idea in 1907 to re-create the old Åland costumes. A ‘costume committee’ wove and sewed various garments using the old patterns and descriptions. Today, each municipality has its own costume. Rye bread, fish, seal meat, milk, butter and cheese were for many years the staples in pantries around Åland. Åland specialties are the Åland pancake with stewed prune compote, sötost (a type of crème brûlée), dark, sweet rye bread, and round wheat bread. The sea The sea has always played a significant role in the history of Åland. Fishing and shipping have provided many Åland residents with livelihoods and food, and the sea has been an important transport route for peoples around the Baltic Sea. Life on fish cutters was hard, the working days long and heavy. During the Middle Ages, fish was most commonly caught using simple seine nets.

In the mid-1800s cast net fishing was introduced from Ostrobothnia, and later the people of Åland learnt Gotland-style driftnet fishing. Boats were a prerequisite for island life. The Ålanders made annual market trips in sailing ships to Stockholm, Turku, Helsinki and Tallinn. Often, several boats set off at once and there were sometimes lively races between them. As early as the late Middle Ages there was lively trade to and from Åland. Farmer-sailors mostly exported fish and agricultural produce, and later also timber. Following the Crimean War in the 1850s, there was intense growth in the shipping industry so that by the 1920s, peasant sailing had been replaced by large companies. In Åland, sailing ships remained as a means of transport for unusually long – almost one hundred years after the world had converted to engine-driven vessels. There had been plans to build a city on the island since the Vasa Era (1523–1654). The first city-like settlements arose in the village Skarpans beside Bomarsund Fortress.

However, Skarpans was abandoned after the siege and fall of Bomarsund in 1854. Mariehamn was founded in 1861 by Emperor Alexander II and was named after Empress Maria Alexandrovna. In the beginning, the city had few inhabitants and a very unassuming appearance, but by about 1900 both the population and the number of settlements had already increased considerably. One person who left a mark on Mariehamn is the county architect G. Th. P. Chiewitz, who in 1859 designed a town plan based on a grid pattern. Hilda Hongell, Finland’s first female building site manager, designed many wooden houses in the town, while architect Lars Sonck was the mastermind behind several public buildings. One of the cornerstones of industry in Mariehamn is shipping. Even in its early days, the city’s shipbuilders, captains and sailors represented a significant part of the population. Big sailing ships were eventually replaced by steamships. Nowadays our ports are visited by large car-and passenger ferries, cargo ships and pleasure boats. Tourism began when the baths began operations in 1889.

The bathing establishment consisted of many different buildings, several of which were designed by Lars Sonck. The baths were most popular around 1900, their operations coming to a halt with the outbreak of the First World War. In 1916, the bathhouse hotel burned down and the bathhouse era came to a definitive end. Åland’s central location in the Baltic Sea has made the region of strategic importance. From the earliest ancient castles to the current demilitarised region, the military presence has varied over time, but the islands have always attracted the interest of the surrounding countries. The Great Northern War (1713–21) hit Åland hard. Russia’s attack in 1714 caused much of the population to flee to Sweden. Many people were captured and the villages were deserted. The residents could not return to their farms until eight years later. In 1808, Russia attacked again and sent troops ashore in the eastern archipelago. The War of 1808–09 was a horrific time for Åland. Epidemics ravaged the islands, and violence was commonplace. The war ended with Sweden having to surrender Finland and Åland to Russia.

Åland became the western outpost of the Russian Empire. Soon the idea of a fortress and a base for the growing Imperial war fleet emerged. In 1829 construction began on Bomarsund Fortress with workers coming from all over the Russian Empire. Bomarsund became a community where many different cultures and religions met. There was not enough time to complete Bomarsund before the next war broke out. During the Crimean War of 1853–56, Britain and France took sides with Turkey against Russia. Bomarsund was attacked in August 1854 and the Russian forces were soon forced to surrender. The consequence of the war was that Åland was declared a demilitarised zone, which it remains to this day. The First World War (1914–18) also had a significant impact on the Åland Islands: it marked the beginning of Åland’s autonomy. Åland was, however, only mildly affected by the Second World War (1939-45). Shipping was the worst industry hit, with several ships sunk and Åland sailors killed.

In the wake of the First World War (1914–18), Åland was wracked with uncertainty and anxiety. Russian soldiers were present throughout the region, and there was heated tension between the Conservatives and the Communists. Sweden was perceived as safe, and a group of activists began discussing a reunion with the former motherland. Finland’s declaration of independence in 1917 gave impetus to the discussions. The issue of Åland’s reunion with Sweden was discussed in the newly-formed League of Nations in 1921. The LN did not uphold the wishes of the Ålanders, ruling instead that Åland should belong to Finland. Åland was, however, granted broad autonomy and guaranteed demilitarisation and Swedish as the official language. The Autonomy Act was later supplemented with provisions on the ‘right of domicile’. Autonomy means that Åland has its own parliament (Lagtinget, formerly the county council) and a government (provincial government, formerly the provincial authority). In 1954 the region got its own official flag, and in 1993 it founded its own postal system with its own stamps.

Island Vulnerability, �land Island Vulnerability ï¿½land Island Vulnerability explores the challenges which isolated geographies face when dealing with risk and disasters by examining the processes which create, maintain, and could be used to reduce their vulnerability. This page provides information on vulnerability issues in ï¿½land: Reflecting on ï¿½land. (Copyright Ilan Kelman 2007.) ï¿½land's parliament in session. (Copyright Ilan Kelman 2007.) Faroes and then modified and applied to ï¿½land. Examples of Heritage Vulnerabilities on ï¿½land Historical, Social, Cultural, or Built Heritage Natural Heritage Vulnerability exposed by environmental events A storm damaging a church or museum. Fog increasing the collision potential for smaller boats (which lack radar). An epidemic affecting fish, birds, or mammals. Vulnerability exposed by non-environmental events A fire in a museum or gallery. A ship sinking or an airplane or helicopter crash due to mechanical failure. An oil spill or ferry sinking which harms marine and coastal ecosystems. Vulnerability exposed by creeping environmental changes Weathering of structures. Climate change reducing Baltic Sea freeze which eliminates ice-based cultural events.

Climate change altering ecosystems. Vulnerability exposed by creeping non-environmental changes Development, including roads, occurring on top of archaeological sitesï¿½especially burial moundsï¿½or renovating historical architecture (including to meet modern safety and access standards). An ageing population means the loss of traditional skills, with boat making and sail making particularly prominent. Increasing waste, especially non-biodegradables and including wastewater, causing leachate which affects lakes and coastlines. Air ï¿½land at Mariehamn Airport. (Copyright Ilan Kelman 2007.) Climate change was of particular interest. The table below considers possible impacts and consequences of climate change on ï¿½land. Possible Climate Change Impacts on and Consequences for ï¿½land Possible Climate Change Impacts Potential Consequence for ï¿½land Air and ocean temperature increase. Could make the climate milder. Coastal erosion. Not likely to have an impact due to the coastal geology. Ocean acidification. Not likely to have an impact due to the coastal geology. Rainfall and droughts. Not known. Floods could be affected by changes to storms. Sea level rise.

Not likely to have an impact because ï¿½land is rising out of the sea, due to isostatic uplift, faster than seas are expected to rise. Collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet would cause a sea level rise which would cause problems (see below). Storms Not known, but any change in storm characteristics is not likely to affect ï¿½land much because the culture is inured to severe and frequent storms, unless storms significantly preclude transport to and from the ï¿½land. Food supplies. ï¿½land has a high degree of self-sufficiency, but tastes for imports are increasing. Fossil fuel price increase. Could isolate ï¿½land which might be advantageous for self-sufficiency without being pressured by external demands. Ferry transport is already subsidised. Macroeconomic problems globally. Could have a significant impact. The largest industry, shipping, receives most of its revenue from outside of ï¿½land. Many skilled businesses (e.g. engineering and IT firms) depend mainly on contracts outside of ï¿½land. Other major industries, such as chip making and apple growing, rely on exporting ï¿½land's products. The investment in tourism assumes continued increase in arrivals..

Population migration. Could stretch resources and lead to disharmony if people wish to move to ï¿½land. The homegrown industry of Taffel chips (crisps): Is there vulnerability to global macroeconomic changes? (Copyright Ilan Kelman 2007.) As ï¿½land is an archipelago, coastal vulnerability is of particular interest. The highest point, Orrdalsklint, is 128 m above sea level, the countryside is hilly, and the coastline rises fairly rapidly when moving inland in most cases. While a collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and a consequent rise in sea levels of 5 m would be inconvenient, would submerge most causeways, and could make the capital Mariehamn uninhabitable by inundating most of it, that scenario would not make ï¿½land uninhabitable. More gentle sea level rise, expected due to thermal expansion of the oceans of up to 1 m by 2100, would not be a major concern compared to the concern which atolls face.

Due to isostatic uplift following the end of the last ice age, ï¿½land has been rising out of the sea at a rate of 0.5-1.0 m per century, countering most of climate change induced sea level rise. Few properties are situated right on the coast. Where people own the coastal strip, their properties are generally sited more than 30 m inland and at least 1-2 m above sea level, but usually much higher. This situation likely results from (a) wishing to be sheltered from storms, waves, wind, and possibly salt and (b) building on or near the site which contained the previous building, so if houses were built on the shoreline several centuries ago, they would now be farther inland due to isostatic uplift. Infrastructure which would likely require major alterations or rebuilding due to sea-level rise would be causeways, lighthouses, and boathouses. Some bridges might need to raised. As well, in many places, ferry channels are narrow, delineated by poles. These channels would need to be re-marked. I was also told that, as isostatic uplift raises land out of the sea, the current property owner does not immediately own the new shoreline.

They need to purchase the land from the municipality. With sea-level rise almost balancing isostatic uplift, shoreline owners might not need to worry about this issue in expanding their property. The view from ï¿½land's highest point, Orrdalsklint, 128 m above sea level. (Copyright Ilan Kelman 2007.) Emigration to the mainland, either Finland or Sweden, does not seem to be much of a concern on ï¿½land, perhaps because they do not consider themselves to have a strong, unique culture (in contrast to the Faroes ) when compared to Sweden. Many people seem to settle in ï¿½land due to the lifestyle, mainly from Finland and Sweden but also the approximately 5% of the population born outside of Nordic countries, including approximately 150 Iranians. Human violence is always a threat, but is less likely for ï¿½land than for many other regional or international locations. Examples are vandalism, terrorism, civil disorder, protests, and riots. All past wars were externally imposed with the population seeking to avoid conflict and, in recent decades, to protect ï¿½land's demilitarised and neutralised status.

Land transport incidents must happen, but ï¿½land's comparatively good drivers and comparatively good roads along main routes reduce their likelihood. Colliding with elks is the main danger. Outside towns, road lightning is mostly absent, making winter driving more dangerous and winter cycling foolhardy. Some short highway sections are barred to cyclists with detours signposted, potentially suggesting incidents of cyclists being struck or a road section deemed to be too narrow to permit cycling. Another example of a sensible transport policy is that specific inter-island ferries, approximately weekly, are designated for transport of dangerous goods. Other traffic is severely limited on those ferries. Pollution is comparatively limited, with the main visible consequence being litter, but agricultural run-off into the lakes and Baltic Sea is increasingly becoming a concern. External pollution is more of a concern, such as the Baltic Sea being highly polluted, predominantly from Russian effluent. Weather events, mainly rain, wind storms, minor and localised flooding, fog, and snow and ice in the winter. Droughts and heat waves presumably could be concerns, but there appears to be little history or, for the moment, worry about them. Vipers are the only poisonous animal on ï¿½land.

Volcanic ash from a large European eruption could affect weather on ï¿½land. It would be interesting to examine weather and mortality records following the 1783-1784 Laki eruption which affected the rest of Europe, causing thousands of deaths. One of ï¿½land's snakes meets its natural enemy: The Ford Mondeo. Since there were no skid marks in front of this snake, perhaps it played trombone. (Copyright Ilan Kelman 2007.) The Åland Islands - Åland - YouTube The Åland Islands - Åland Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Nov 13, 2014 A short infomercial on the Åland Islands, a group of islands in the middle of the Baltic sea. Formally a part of Finland, but self-governing, Swedish-speaking and really a country in its own right.

En engelskspråkig reklamfilm om Åland som ska visas på långflygningar med British Airways. Om man bara bortser från de uppenbara reklamvinklarna är det en fantastisk liten film om den vackraste platsen på jorden: Mitt hem. Category

Question: Which country owns the Aland Islands?
Answer: Finland